Collating apparatus



April- 16, 1946. -A. P.Y KARBACH, JR., Er Al.

coLLA'rIN-G APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 194s 6 Sheets-Sheet l FlG.

F 3 AQTHILT/EQTSARR BACH, JR-

ysRN o. EVANS ATTORNEYS April 16, 1946. A. P. KARBACH, JR., Erm. 2,398,646

COLLATING APPARATUS FIG. 2

INVENTOR AQTHUQ Q KARBACH, Jn.

VERN D. EVANS mi m ATTORNEYS April 16, 1946. A.- P. KARBAclCl, JR., ETAL 2,398,646

COLLATING APPARATS Filed Jan. 16, 194s s sheets-sheet s FIG. 9 f3 'INVENTOR ARTHUR P. KARBMH,` JR. VERN D. EVANS 'BY f MQW ATTORNEYS April 16, 1946. A. P. KABACH, J., ETAL 2,398,645

COLLATING' APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1945 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MM w ATToRNEYfJ April 15, 1946. A. P. KARBAcH, JIR., ETAL 25598546 I COLLATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1945 6 Sheets--Sheelcl 5 m n e INVENTOR ART'HER R KARBACN, /JR

YERN D, EVANS #uw L4/LH ATTORNEY f April 16, 1946. A. P. KARBACH, JR., Erm. 2,398,645

COLLATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1945 6 Sheecs-SheerI 6y INVENTOR ARTHUR P KARBACH,-JR.

VERN D. EVANS BY La/MM m( ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 1,6, 1946 l'UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE Minneapolis, Minn.; said Korbach, Jr., assignor to The McBee Company, Athens, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio `Application January 16, 1943, Serial No. 472,560

` s claims. (cl. iol- 132) This invention relates in general to duplicating machines. More particularly the present invention relates to rotary duplicators wherein a printing cylinder or platen is provided with a clamping device adapted to secure in operating position a plurality of master copies.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide devices whereby on a rotary duplicator lists may be conveniently and rapidly produced which are made up of items each of which individually appears upon one of a series of master copy cards or sheets and the like.

Another object. is to provide means for securing to the printing cylinder or platen of a. duplicator in a pre-arranged alignment a plurality oi master copy cards or sheets andthe like.

Another object resides in the provision of a clamp or carriage adapted to compensate for the varying thickness of a series of master copy cards or sheets and the like heldin an overlapping position upon the' printing cylinder or platen of a rotary duplicator.

Another object is the provision of a clamp or assembling device which facilitates the collating and securing of a series of cards or sheets and the like in a prearranged order and position whereby they may be quickly and conveniently transferred to the printing cylinder clamp of a rotary duplicator.

Another object is to provide a master 'copy clamp for a rotary duplicating machine capable of holding the edges of a series of cards or sheets and the like arranged in overlapping positions so that they are in operating position and cannot change their pre-arranged alignment, during the rotation of the printing cylinder, but which will not damage or bend the edges so held.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision oi a clampingr device in which a plurality of master copy cards or sheets may be quickly and easily positioned for clamping. and in which proper alignment for registration with the clear sheets to be printed upon may be maintained.

Another object is to provide a clamp actuating means that may be embodied within' the face of the printing cylinder or platen of a machine of the character described so as not to extend beyond the plane ilush with the face, when in operative position and which is operated by a simple unobstructive external means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional end view through a rotary type duplicator embodying one form of the present invention and showing the printing cylinder clamping device in operating position;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the printing cylinder rotated 315 in the direction of the arrow;

Fig, 3 is a top elevation of the printing cylinder device showing a series of master copies held in position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view from one side ci the printing cylinder clamping device:

Fig. 5 is a bottom elevation'of the printing cylinder clamping device;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the clamping device in its open position with a series of master copy cards inserted therein;

Fig. 'I is a similar view to that of Fig. 6, but showing the clamping device-in its closed position locking a series of master copy cards in operating position; l A

Fig. 8 is a detached vertical section through the printing cylinder clamping device in its open position;

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 8, butL showing the clamp in its closed operative position;

Fig. 10 is a top elevation of the collator showing the binding bar locked in position to hold a series of cards (master copies) in alignment preparatory to insertion in the printing cylinder clamp:

Fig. i1 is a perspective view from one side of the device -as shown in Fig. 10, but showing the binding bar unlocked and swung out of locked position so that -cards or sheets may be inserted or removed;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view from the back of the collator showing the hinge construction of the binding bar; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the collator showing a few of the dividers in the raised position and a means for attaching them.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by y reference numerals. the rotary type duplicating machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with opposed side frames l5 in which are mounted the operating elements. Frames i5 are retained in spaced relation by suitable tie rods, one

which, in turn, is secured against rotation in the side frames.

A drive mechanism, not shown. to intermittently rotate platen l1 is provided and comprises a pinion and intermediate gearing rotated by any suitable source of power. One of such gears I9 meshes with a coacting intermittent gear 20 which, in turn, is adiustably secured to platen I1. In general, the drive mechanism is of a type well known in the art, an example of such being shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,069,729, issued February 2, 1937, to F'. W. Storck.

The clear sheets to be printed upon are supported upon shelf 2l, Fig. 1, so that they can be fed to the molstening and feeding rolls 22 and 23. Feed roll 22 is provided with a shaft 24 extending beyond each end thereof to form journals designed to rotate inl adjustable bearings in the side frames. Preferably this roll is driven by frictional engagement with roll v23. Moistening roll 23 is secured to a shaft 25 also rotatably mounted in suitable bearings. Shaft 25, in turn, has secured thereto a gear 29 which is engaged by and rotated by an intermediate gear 21 which meshes with a gear 28 secured to printing platen i1.

Thus the feed and moistening rolls 22 and 23 are platen is reproduced on the moistened face of the clear sheet. Since the functioning of rotary duplicating machines of the above general character is well known in the art further detailed description is omitted.

Printing cylinder or platen i1 is of a hollow cylindrical construction, see Figs. 1 and 2, having' its face wall cut away to receive the master copy clamp, generally indicated by the numeral 32, which extends between the opposed end Walls thereof. Inwardly projecting portions 33 and 34, Fig. 1,-of the platen form shoulders upon which clamp 32 is secured. Yielding tension means, preferably in the form of coiled springs, as illustrated at 35 and 3E in Fig, 2 are provided at each end of the platen to secure clamp 32 in place upon the shoulders during rotation. Projecting into the recessed area formed by the oif-set end walls 31 and 38 of the platen are pins 39 and 40. One end of each of the springs 35 and 35 is attached to pins 35 and 40 while the other end of each spring is attached to corresponding pins 4I and 42 projecting from each end 'of clamp 32. Through this means the clamp is yieldably but securely held in position upon shoulders 33 and 34 of the platen.

Clamp 32 comprises an upper supporting portion having an outer arcuate face 43 adapted to effect a continuity of the peripheral face of platen l1 and a lower depending member 44 formed as an integral part thereof. Attached to member 44 by means of screw brackets 45 is a base rail or copy supporting member 46 so positioned as to cooperate with member 43 to form a card or sheet receiving throat. See Figs. 1, 4 and 8. A hollow casing 41 slidably mounted upon member 44 has an edge thereof partially bent over to form a.

assauts supporting edge 48, extending the entire length o1' portion 43 and rail 46, to which is fastened, by means of screws, .a strip of rubber tubing 49 having a steel supporting core 50 therein. This tubing 49 as will be hereafter explained serves as a binding bar or gripping means to hold the edges of the master copy cards or sheets I4 in the throat of clamp 32 of the platen.

Casing 41 is slidably secured to member 44 with yielding tension means, preferably comprising a plurality of inwardly extending studs 5l thread edly engaged in the inner depending member 44 and projecting through suitably enlarged openings 52 in the casing 41. Each stud 5i is provided with an enlarged head 53 that acts as a bearing for one end of the compression spring 54 which encircles the stud. The opposed end of spring 54 has its bearing against the bottom of casing 41. It will be readily seen that the amount of pressure exerted by each coiled spring on casing 41 will depend upon how far stud 5I has been screwed into member 44. These studs and springs provide a variable pressure means normally urging the rubber covered binding bar 49 upward to engage the edges of the overlapping master copy cards or sheets i4. Through this means the bar is adapted to compensate for the varying thickness produced by the overlapping edges of the cards or sheets.

Supported within member 44 are one or more rotatable shafts 55 the ends of which terminate flush with the sides of member 44 so as not to interfere with the sliding movement of casing 41. Disposed within one or more slotted apertures 5E, formed within clamp 32 and extending through it from face 43 to the bottom of member 44, as illustrated in Fig. 2, are cams 51 which are secured to and partially rotatable on shafts 55. Pins 5B projecting from the inside of member 44 into aperture 5S, as illustrated in Fig. 2, are so positioned as to contact shoulder 59 of the cams and thereby prevent further rotation in that direction. Rotation of the cams in the opposite direction brings shoulders 60 down and into contact with casing 41, and raises the nose 6I of the cam thereby releasing the pressure exerted against the casing. Cams 51 being adapted to engage the inner face of casing 41, raise or lower it with relation to member 44. See Figs. 8 and 9. Through this means the binding bar 49 is raised in the throat of clamp 32 to grip the master copy cards or sleets placed therein and hold them in alignmen To open clamp 32 the cams 51 are rotated to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, by means of a key 62 inserted through aperture 56 into a slotted key-way 63 formed in the top of each cam. This rotation brings surface 6I of the cam down into contact with casing 41 depressing it which, in turn, compresses springs 54. The clamp 32 will then be in the open position, as illustrated in Fig. 8, and ready to receive the master copy cards or sheets. After they are in position, the cams are rotated to the left so as to raise nose El which permits the action of the springs 54 to raise casing 41, whereby the tubing 49 is pressed upward to close the clamp as shown in Fig. 9.

In operation the edges of the master copy cards or sheets I4 are aligned in an overlapping or shingled relationship with respect to each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 11. They are then inserted in the slot or throat formed between the open faces 54 and 65 of clamp 32, see Figs. 3. 6 and 7, and are pushed back until the edges are aligned against the back formed at 66 on the un- .description oi' it will be omitted. above locking device 1l and projecting from the derside of face 43. Tubing 49 is then raised and grips these edges holding the master copy iirmly in place.

Figs. 10, 11', 12 and 13 illustrate one form of the card or sheet assembler. A flat piece of sheet metal generally indicated by the numeral 19 comprises the main body or supporting member. If preferred, this member may be composed of wood, plastics or any other similar lightweight substances. One `edge of member 19 is bent at right angles as shown at G1 to form a stop or aiigning shoulder for the master copy cards or sheets as they are inserted.

.A thin sheet of cardboard BB is glued, or fas-- tened in any other suitable manner, to member 13 to form a. base. Hinged to this base 68 by means of gummed linen strips 69 are a series of dividers 13, serving as partitions to separate each of the master copy cards or sheets. These dividers are preferably made of paper or card stock, corner cut as at 1i to facilitate the insertion of master copies M and fastened sovas to be easily raised or lowered with respect to the base 68. A gummed linen strip 69 forms a hinge for each divider, as shown in Fig. 13, being fastened across the entire lower edge of each divider and to the base. As will be readily understood the size and distance or spacing between the dividers may be varied depending, for example, upon the size of master copy card or sheet I land the number of items to be taken from each per invoice and the size of platen used in the duplicator. This spacing will also control the amount of marginal exposure obtained when the dividers are in the prone position.

Fastened to member 19 along the top edge is a thin metal strip or binding bar 12. A two-way or double acting hinge 13 welded to the back side oi.' member 19, as shown in Fig. l2, and to one end of bar 12 provides the fastening means. At the other end of bar 12 is an aperture in which is tted a locking device 14 having normally extended prongs 15 which `are vretracted'when a button 16 is depressed. Theseprongs are adapted to extend through an elongated pear shaped slot 11 cut through member 19 and catch on the underside thereof to lock bar 12 in the position shown in Fig. 10. Since this type of locking means is well known and commonly used further Positioned Upper side oi' bar 12 is a locking stud 19 provided with an enlarged head which is adapted to be inserted into the upper or wide end of slot 11 and pulled back to wedge in the lower or narrow end. In this way bar 12 may be locked down on the underside of member 19 out of the operators way when cards are being inserted between the dividers. herein described is a. preferred form only and that the present invention is not limited to that type oibinding means. Any means which will hold down` the dividers after 4the master copies Il have been inserted will suice.

The operator when preparing to insert cards or sheets in the assembler unlocks binding bar 12 by depressing the lock button". Due to the double hinge construction 1I, the bar when unlocked may be swung completely around and locked against the bottom o! the unit-by wedging stud 18 into slot 11. Master copy cards or sheets are then dropped into position between the dividers 1U. When 'the last card or sheet is in position the operator taps the left or extended edges to allgnthem against the right edge 91. then by running the hand down the feathered top edges they are aligned against the bottom guide orbase 69. Binding bar 12 is then swung around and locked in position', Fig. 10, holding the collated cards or sheets in alignment until they are fed into and locked in clamp 32, as shown in Figs. 3, d and '2.

While the devices and apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments ci' the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise devices and apparatus and that changes may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we ciaim:

1. A master copy clamping device for a rotary duplicator platen comprising an upper me'inher having an arcuate outer tace normally fitting ilush with the face of said platen and disposed in a recess extending travers-ely oi the platen face, a copy supporting member retained in spaced relationl with the upper member whereby a throat is formed for the insertion of a plurality of cards or sheets and the like, a binding bar provided with a resilient cover, said bar extending along the underside of the outer face of said upper member and having pressure rotatable cam means associated therewith normally urging it upward to close said throat, and means carried within the upper member for depressing said bar to open the throat and to retain it in such position.

It is to be understood that the binding bar 2. In a rotary duplicating machine, the combination with the printing platen of: a clamping member adapted to hold a series of overlapping master copy cards or sheets and the like in alignment whereby a list may be reproduced containing only certain items selected from each one of the master copies; said member comprising an upper portion having an outer arcuate face and a substantially ilat inner face; a copy supporting member retained in spaced relation with the inner face of said upper portion to form a throat for the insertion of the edges o f said master copy; a binding bar provided with a resilient cover, said bar having yielding pressure means forcing it upward against the inner face of said upper portion thereby closing said throat: and rotatable cam means positioned within said upper portion and operable from the upper side thereof for depressing the binding bar to open the throat.

3. In a device of the character described having a rotatable printing platen and means for rotating said platen. a clamping member for said platen adapted to clamp in operating position the edges of a series oi' overlapping master copy cards or sheets and the like: a copy supporting member retained in spaced relation with the clamping member and forming a master copy receiving throat therewith; a rubber covered binding bar adapted to coact with the clamping member to hold said master copy within the throat; variable pressure means carried by the clamping member forcing saidv binding bar upward; and cam means carried within the clamping member operable from the outer face 0f the clamping member to depress and hold down the binding bar whereby said master copy can be positioned in the throat.

ARTHUR. P. KARBACH. Jn. VEEN D. EVANS. 

